My theory on Shepherd Book's 'secret' past

POSTED BY: Algus
UPDATED: Sunday, March 12, 2006 16:11
VIEWED: 9785
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JAYNESBUNKWOMAN

Friday, March 10, 2006 3:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ThePistonEngine:
Personally, I think Book is guilty of stealing the tooth fairy's money from under childrens pillows. Heinous.

he's going to that special hell reserved for child molesters and people who talk in theatres...

But Seriously, my personal opinion is that he is not an opeative but has very high connections in the alliance. Whether that's military or political or family. They let him go with an understanding. And yes, he's starts sliding so he takes the higher road for the sake of his beliefs a a shepherd, even when that means leaving his loved ones behind. Maybe his bad in the past has to do with past loved ones and maybe a revenge killing lust....

I'll be in Jaynes bunk

BROWNCOATGHOST

Friday, March 10, 2006 5:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Leebo:
But would you blow the whole plot by patching your spy up right quick in your infirmary while your "sheep" watch?

No, it doesn't make any sense that he's a spy because that would just give the Alliance one more reason not to treat him when Serenity siddles up to the cruiser asking for help. Better to leave him dead then to spoil the whole plot then and there.

He's obviously valuable enough that they want/need him alive. It could be there's some sort of failsafe in place that they would know if he spilled anything sensitive; River had a trigger in Serenity, so maybe Book has something similar. Better to leave people wondering what the guy's about and confident they'll never know without you knowing about it. As it is, Book did say he'd tell the crew 'someday', but didn't offer any more criteria for that eventuality. Maybe he meant a day when he could tell them the truth and not have to worry about his brain literally imploding, I don't know. Just speculation on my part.

MATTCOZ

Friday, March 10, 2006 6:01 AM

I wonder if River knows his secret, maybe we'll find out about him through her.

BROWNCOATGHOST

Friday, March 10, 2006 1:44 PM

Could be it's just my very tired brain reading too much into things, but Book saying that he and River had developed a special bond (only to find his bible in shreds later) sticks out in my mind right now. Had to wonder what he meant by that since I didn't recall him spending any significant length of time with her.

ISAACSHEPHERD

Friday, March 10, 2006 2:44 PM

One thought I don't think has been mentioned so far is maybe Book is retired? Perhaps he spent 20 or 30 years working his way up the chain in the Alliance. There are some moments in the series that surprise me that about Book.

In the Train Job I noticed Inara and him talk about praying for Mal. Book says "I don't think the Captain would much like me praying for him."
That doesn't sound like a Shepherd, or at least much of an expereinced one. Asking a companion about faith, as he does in the pilot I believe and about life in space.

Another instance is in OoG. When he is reading his Bible and River comes in, he is scared out of his mind that he is going to die. I'm not saying I wouldn't be concerned but I would think he'd find comfort in his bible if he really has a strong developed faith.

I have a few theories that maybe he had something to do with Unification, or maybe he was in command playing chess against Mal in the Battle for Serenity. Who knows? I'm thinking maybe after he found out about Reavers, or maybe helping create them he retired from the Alliance. A long shot maybe but still possible.

As for his fighting skills and such, I can't really see Book being a blind believer, like the Operative. He has the fighting skills and intelligence. And when he died he took down an Alliance ship. Not bad for a Shepherd huh?
IS

The Bible's a bit fuzzy on the subject of kneecaps.

FITZ

Friday, March 10, 2006 5:39 PM

ok quickly to sum up wat i think and have read, although admittadly i skipped some so forgive me. He is either:

1) Creator of the reavers - Nice idea, plenty of hints; repenting for great attrocities an the like. Mal decidin to find Miranda (an the truth of Books past?) just after his death on haven. There is a very quick change in Mal's oppinion on Miranda after this (supernatural suggestion? -no probably not). However begs the question y was he allowed jus to go (think to the operative killin the scientist for lettin river go, wouldnt explain jis weapon skills.

Most likely wrong.

2)An ex-torturer - would explain the repenting theory, an possibly the weapon skill, think Niska. Would also explain his knowledge of Shan - Yu in war stories (thanx anna and mattcoz)

ok i need help thinkin cons for this idea but personally i believe its wrong

3) An operative - would explain A LOT! weaponskill, repenting theory

operative: "I am a monster"

also cleverly links with sheperd idea. Sheperds guide there flock across to better places:

The Operative: I'm sorry. If your quarry goes to ground,leave no ground to go to. You should have taken my offer. Or did you think none of this was your fault?
Capt. Malcolm Reynolds: I don't murder children.
The Operative: I do. If I have to.
Capt. Malcolm Reynolds: Why? Do you even know why they sent you?
The Operative: It's not my place to ask. I believe in something greater than myself. A better world. A world without sin.
Capt. Malcolm Reynolds: So me and mine gotta lay down and die... so you can live in your better world?
The Operative: I'm not going to live there. There's no place for me there... any more than there is for you. Malcolm... I'm a monster.What I do is evil. I have no illusions about it, but it must be done.

the operative believes he is helpin the 'verse get to this world without sin.

surely this passage from the operative sums up wat book could have been?

Later the opertative says somethin like their is nothin left for me, i am nothin, blah blah

is this not how Book feels?

an finally on the "the alliance jus wouldnt let him go" issue...

does the operative say im jus gonna fade away into nothing, iam nothing blah blah blah. I cant remember an im really rushin this so sorry for any mistakes bnut i want to get it down before i forget.

on this point it would make sense. It is a similar way for book.

Finally He was either able to jus fade away or more likely the alliacne granted him freedom after he had to do something terrible for them. Would explain still being reputated among them an the high lvl clearance

Thats probably a load of bull shit an i still not 100% on any of it but its the three views summed up. If you reply to me with any changes i will and will also update it to make it better layed out with real English. I'm tryin not to be biased because there still many cons against the operative idea. If you guys want to comment on it i could make it like a sort of HANDBOOK OF BOOK for all new commers to read an get the general consensus with all the ideas fopr an against laid simply rather than forcing them to traul through threads and threads of ideas and thoeries like i had to. Input would be graciously accepted as i am jus one man with one view point.

Men of Honour - Just keep walkin preacher man...

ANNA

Friday, March 10, 2006 5:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BrowncoatGhost:
Who said he ever left the Alliance?

Ah, excellent point. I'm sure I had some sort of reason and basis for thinking/saying that, but unfortunately I cannot for the life of me remember it, heh. I'll post it if it comes to mind though.

Quote:
Originally posted by Fitz:
2)An ex-torturer - would explain the repenting theory, an possibly the weapon skill, think Niska.

He's also familiar with the works of Shan Yu. Although I personally don't go for this theory, it's still interesting to bear in mind.

MATTCOZ

Friday, March 10, 2006 5:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Fitz:
2)An ex-torturer - would explain the repenting theory, an possibly the weapon skill, think Niska.

Supported by the episode "War Stories" and his familiarness with the works of Shan-Yu.

edit: heh, I guess Anna and I think alike

ANNA

Friday, March 10, 2006 6:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mattcoz:
heh, I guess Anna and I think alike

Great minds think alike!
Or fools seldom differ

CTHAWK

Friday, March 10, 2006 7:14 PM

I think we're over analyzing the complexity of Book's story (if not the interestingness). I mean we all know Mal's past. It's not very complex but it is still compelling and makes him a good character.
I just think Book is a retired operative (perhaps not an operative like The Operative). Sort of like a retired CIA undercover agent. When he retired he wanted to leave his old life behind after becoming increasingly disillusioned with the Alliance. He became a Shepherd to believe in something pure again.
I'm sure there would've been many interesting stories which we would have learned over many seasons. But that doesn't necessarily mean Book was anyone especially cruel or devious. (It also doesn't rule it out.)

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